The Athletic reportedly held an all-hands meeting for the first time to address the ongoing scandal involving former employee Dianna Russini and New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel.
Executive editor Steven Ginsberg called the meeting on Wednesday, April 29, according to Front Office Sports, during which he “acknowledged that communications could have been more clear.”
Ginsberg reportedly read from a prepared statement “lasting about 10 minutes” and did not take any questions from staff members.
The previously opened investigation into Russini, 43, remains open and is “expected to be lengthy.”
Us Weekly reached out to The Athletic for comment.
Russini initially had the full support of The Athletic after photos of her and Vrabel, 50, were published by Page Six on April 7.
“These photos are misleading and lack essential context,” Ginsberg said in a statement to the outlet at the time. “These were public interactions in front of many people. Dianna is a premier journalist covering the NFL and we’re proud to have her at The Athletic.”
Russini issued her own statement after the initial photos were released, telling Page Six, “The photos don’t represent the group of six people who were hanging out during the day. Like most journalists in the NFL, reporters interact with sources away from stadiums and other venues.”
The Athletic opened an investigation into Russini on April 11.
The outlet cited their editorial guidelines, which “require that their journalists avoid any activities that pose a conflict of interest or the appearance of a conflict, so as not to call into question their credibility.”
Russini resigned from her position at The Athletic on April 14, without admitting any wrongdoing.
“I have covered the NFL with professionalism and dedication throughout my career, and I stand behind every story I have ever published,” Russini said in a written statement shared via social media. “When the Page Six item first appeared, The Athletic supported me unequivocally, expressed confidence in my work and pride in my journalism. For that I am grateful. In the days that followed, unfortunately, commentators in various media have engaged in self-feeding speculation that is simply unmoored from the facts.”
She added, “Moreover, this media frenzy is hurtling forward without regard for the review process The Athletic is trying to complete/ It continues to escalate, fueled by repeated leaks, and I have no interest in submitting to a public inquiry that has already caused far more damage than I am willing to accept.”
Since the publication of the first set of photos earlier this month, multiple outlets have posted additional photographic evidence of the relationship between Russini and Vrabel, who are both currently married.
On April 23, Page Six published pictures of the two seemingly kissing at a New York City bar in March 2020 while Russini was engaged to her now-husband, Kevin Goldschmidt. Vrabel has been married to his wife, Jen Vrabel, since 1999.
